Good Rulers a Choice Blessing, Sermon

Good Rulers a Choice Blessing · Sermon

Mr. MATHER's Election-SERMON,

1725.

At a General Aſſembly held at Hartford, May 13th. 1725.

Ordered by this Aſſembly,

THAT James Wadſworth and John Hooker, Eſqrs. Return the Thanks of this Aſſembly, to the Reverend Mr. Azariah Mather of Saybrook for his Sermon Preach'd before this Aſſembly at Hartford, on the 13th of May Inſtant; and Deſire that he give a Copy thereof that it may be Printed.

Hez. Wyllys Secr.

Good Rulers A CHOICE BLESSING.

A Sermon Preached before the Great and General Aſſembly of the Colony of Connecticut, at Hartford in NEW-ENGLAND, May 13th 1725

The Day for the Election of the Honourable the GOVERNOUR & DEPUTY-GOVERNOUR, and the Worſhipful ASSISTANTS there.

By Azariah Mather, A. M. Paſtor of CHRIST's Church in Saybrook.

Publiſhed (with the Addition of ſome things either not Delivered at the Preaching, though Written; or but hinted) by Order of AUTHORITY.

NEW LONDON: Printed & Sold by T. Green, Printer to the GOVERNOUR & COMPANY. 1725.

p. 1An Election-SERMON.

ECCLESIASTES X. 17.

Bleſſed art thou, O Land, when thy King is the Son of Nobles, and th… Princes Eat in due Seaſon, for Strength, and not for Drunkenneſs.

SOLOMON the Wiſe (as the Learned well obſerve) in the former part of our Context, is inſtructing Subjects with their Duty toward Rulers, Which Duty he urges upon them with many excellent Motives and Arguments to enforce their Loyalty & Obedience; and left Rulers from what he had ſaid concerning the Obedience of the Subject, ſhou'd take occaſion to abuſe their Power, leſt they ſhou'd think themſelves Priviledged ones to do as they liſt, & become Arbitrary & Deſpotick: He therefore brings in a Caveat, and inſerts an Admonition and puts them in mind that as Subjects may not Rebel againſt lawful Authority (and indeed p. 2there is no other Authority but ſuch; there's great difference between Potentia & Poteſtas, Dunam…s & Exouſia) ſo neither may Rulers bec…me Licentious, Unjuſt, and Tyrannize over the Subject: Which Caution and Admonition is included in a declaration of that Dependence which is mutual between Subjects and Rulers, in regard of the good or ill State of the Common Wealth. Rulers can't be either good or bad to themſelves, but the Subjects muſt ſhare in either Felicity or Miſery, under them in their Adminiſtrations.

1. The Miſeries of a People is briefly hinted in ver. 16. Wo to thee, … Land Wo is the…e denounced in general terms; for who, alas, can give a detail of the Miſchiefs that attend a bad Government? Ill Government ariſing from ill Governours and Rulers, Supreme and Subordinate.

(1) Supreme; in that Clauſe, When thy King is a Child; Not ſo much in Years & Age, as Vertue, Wiſdom and Underſtanding, Goodneſs and Ability.

(2) Subordinate Rulers, called Princes; a Second degree, including all lower & inferior Ranks and Orders: whoſe fault as a ground of the Subjects Miſery is mentioned, where one or two inſtances implies many: Intemperance, a careleſs Negligence & Slothfulneſs, ver. 16. Spending their time in Feaſting & Carowzing; p. 3indulging the Fleſh when they ſhould be Sitting in the Gates and upon the Service of the Subject, or preparing therefor, or in other neceſſary Buſineſs

2. We have intimation of the Happineſs of a People under the Regimen & Government of good Rulers. Bleſſed art thou, O Land, &c. And here the goodneſs of ſuch Rulers is mentioned; and one particular is Synecdochally put for many, as Pemble obſerves.

(1) When the Supreme Ruler the King, Rules well; is the Son of Nobles: The meaning an't of Nobility of Birth and Extract, or Nobility in Blood mainly and principally, at leaſt, 1 King. 3. 7. But 'tis meant of Policy, Piety and Prudence

(2) As to Inferior Rulers, their goodneſs is ſet forth by their Prudence, Temperance, Care and Caution; who are men governed in all their Actions, Converſations and Adminiſtrations, by good & right Ends. That's the ſcope & meaning of that Phraſe, of their Eating in due ſeaſon, for ſtrength and not for drunkenneſs; i. e. to fit and prepare them for the diſcharge of their Duty: Which makes way for this Doctrine or Propoſition.

DOCT. Good Rulers in a Common-Wealth, will be a great Bleſſing to a People.

p. 4This Truth contains the Sum & Subſtance of our Text; and ſhall be Proſecuted in this Method, We ſhall Eſſay to ſhew;

1. What are the Qualifications of theſe Rulers who are like to prove Bleſſings to a People, and ſtiled Good Rulers.

2. The Reaſons and Evidences of the Truth.

3. The Uſe and Improvement.

As for the Character, Properties and Qualifications of ſuch a Ruler,

1. A good Ruler muſt be a good man. Such is the Connexion between Piety & Chriſtian Policy, that a man muſt be a GOOD man, in order to his being a Good Ruler; a Conſciencious man, one that fears God, that walks with the fear of God before his Eyes. This is agreeable to what we have in God's Word; Exod. 18. 21. Thou ſhalt provide ſuch as fear God, and place ſuch to be Rulers. So Deut. 17. 14, 15. particularly ver. 19. which tho' ſpoken with expreſs reference to Supreme Rulers, yet not excluſive of Inferior and Subordinate Officers. We read 2 Sam. 23. 3▪ He that ruleth over men muſt be Just, Ruling in the fear of God, Civil Rulers are to p. 5be Cuſtodes Ʋ …ri…ſ…ue Tabulae, Keepers of both Tables of the Law. Rulers in a Chriſtian-Common-wealth have a Sacred Dep…ſitum put into their hands. And as we have all reaſon in the world to fear, that men whoſe Biaſs is not Grace, will do no great Service for God & Religion, ſo likewiſe that they will do a great deal of Miſchief. If great men be good men, their goodneſs makes their greatneſs Honourable▪ but if they are bad men, their greatneſs makes their badneſs but the more Shameful & Dangerous. And Famous Bolton writing to a great man, tells him out of Nazianzen That never any man void of the true fear of God, can poſſibly be cordially and conſcionably Serviceable to men on Earth; and much more to the ſame purpoſe ſays that Man. Such men are acted by Self-love, and governed by Self-intereſt at beſt: Seek to ſerve themſelves, and oft want nothing but an Opportunity & Temptation to throw off the Mask; as is too often ſeen in Magiſtrates & Miniſters of the Goſpel too. Such men are unfit & unworthy to Rule over the Lord's People, who are unwilling to be Ruled by God himſelf. We read, Pſal. 82.6. Civil Rulers are ſtyled Gods. They are ſo by Deputation; they are GOD's Repreſentatives, Cloathed with his Image, Adorned with Majeſty & Power by him▪ and ſhine with his Rays: But he who is not p. 6partaker of the Divine Nature and veſted with the Moral Beatifying Communicable Attributes of God, an't fit to bear the Scepter of Rule & Government over a Chriſtian Common-wealth. Shall it be ſaid by Zenophon, That ſuch was the Court of Cirus, That if a man blindfold ſhould ſeek he could not miſs of a good man? And ſhall a Chriſtian People think Moral goodneſs no neceſſary Qualification for Rulers? The Father of Conſtantine the Great, is ſaid to have turned off ſome of his Courtiers and Councillors, ſaying, He can't be faithful to me, who is unfaithful to God. Pietate ſublata tellitur Fides. I have oft with wonderment thought of Frederick a Gothick King and an Arian, who having a Servant that was near and dear to him, and of the Orthodox Faith; but turned Arian, hoping thereby to pleaſe his Maſter and recommend himſelf to his more peculiar Favour; the King his Maſter coming to underſtand it, moſt ſeverely Puniſhed him; commanding ſuddenly, Capite multari, giving this for his Reaſon (as he aboveſaid) Qui non, &c. He that won't be faithful to his God, I can't expect will be ſo to me. And to talk of mens being good Common-wealths men and fit to bear Rule over Religious People, and yet they not be men of Religion, is to talk at Random, without Reaſon or Religion. He p. 7that is not a good man or but only ſo, can never be a good Ruler, ſays Fuller. But this an't the only neceſſary Qualification.

2. Knowledge & good Underſtanding is another Qualification that fits men for Rule. And indeed without this, men will be but Cyphers. They who Rule ſhould be Knowing men in the nature and end of Government, and the Laws which ought to be the meaſure and boundaries of their Rule and Government. An Ignorant man may chance to do Juſtice, but much as the Blind man hits the mark: There is great hazard that either he prove raſh & precipitant and go beyond the Line, or elſe thro' fear or cowardize he fall miſerably ſhort; and ſo the beſt of Cauſes may be miſerably betrayed 'Tis eſpecially dangerous when Un-skilful men ſit Judges in heavy & weighty Caſes. Many times thro' the cunning Craft and Subtlety of learned & ſtudied Lawyers, Judgment fails and falls in the Gate, and poor People ly under the weight of Oppreſſion and Injuſtice; and all under the pretence & colour of Law (wou'd to God it be never the miſerable ſtate of this Land) I ſhan't pretend to tell you the minimum quod ſic, of Knowledge neceſſary; but 'tis certain that the lower degrees will not make men Strong Rods to Rule. There will p. 8be Seaſons which call for good Hearts and the beſt Heads; and a ſtrong head & good heart together, make a good Ruler: And this head p…ece ſeems to be what God expects. See Exod. 18 21, 25 Able men. Ver. 20. Men of Study, men Taught & Learned. In Deut. 1. 12 'tis ſaid, Take wiſe & underſtanding men. And without this, however honeſt & well-meaning, 'tan't at all probable they'll do much to promote the welfare of a People.

3. Prudence & Diſcretion is another neceſſary Qualification. Good Rulers will be diſcreet in their Adminiſtrations and Government. Wiſdom will guide their Tongues Heads & Hands too. Men who in the Executions of their Powers, will diſtinguiſh between Cauſe and Cauſe, Men and Men, Times & Seaſons. Such we read of, in that 1 Chron 12.32▪ Men that had underſtanding of the times, & know what they and Iſrael ought to do. Thoſe, 'tis ſaid, mere the Heads & Rulers of the People. Prudent men who conſult the State & Condition of the People. What Laws to make what Penalties to affix, what Severity to uſe, when to brandiſh the Sword of Juſtice, and when to ſheath it in the bowels of Offenders; they diſtinguiſh between ſuch Thick S…ll'd Tranſgreſſors, whoſe hardineſs make it neceſſary to brighten and ſharpen the Sword, and to p. 9ſmite with redoubled force, and ſuch upon whom a Frown will make due impreſſion. They know how to diſtinguiſh between the Letter & the Meaning of the Law Mens, ratio or finis Legis eſt Lex, not Litera. Rulers ought to ſuffer their Zeal to riſe and to aſſert the Dignity of their Poſt; but this Zeal is to riſe or fall as occaſion ſerves: They are Diſcreet men, Gen. 41. 3… Such guide their Affairs with diſcretion. David one of the beſt of Rulers was ſuch, Pſal. 101. So 112 5. They'll be men not heady and giddy, ſelf-confident and conceited, but men willing to take the beſt Advice and Counſel in matters of Weight and Conſequence: Prov. 1. 7. 'Tis a part of Folly to deſpiſe Counſel & Inſtruction. A Prudent Ruler will endeavour to intermix Judgment with Mercy. 'Tis obſerved, in Prov 16. 12. 'Tis ſaid, that the throne is Eſtabliſhed by Righteouſneſs. Yet Chap. 20. 28. 'Tis ſaid that Mercy and Truth preſerve the King, and that his … is Upholden by Mercy. He that is a Mortal God, ſhould remember when he ſits upon the Seat of Judgment, that he Repreſents that GOD who in Judgment remembers Mercy. I remember I have read of a King, ſitting out upon rule & Government, asked a Counſeller how he ſhould do to beſt manage the Affairs of his Government? He took a piece of Paper and p. 10wrote on the top middle and bottom, M…de-ratio; Prudence and Wiſdom carries Rulers between the Two Extremes, Indulgence and Severity, which is the beſt, if not the only way to Rule quietly, ſafely and ſucceſſively. The old rule is, Legis Extremitas eſt Severitas.

4. Courage and Reſolution is another Article. Good Rulers muſt be bold and reſolute men, whoſe Front is well-ſteeled. Such who fear not the face of Man in a good Cauſe: Such men having forementioned Qualifications, will be Strong Rods indeed. Judgment and Juſtice ſhall run down like Waters, & Righteouſneſs as mighty Streams. They'll break in upon the lines of ſtrong and heady Oppoſers, and will not be beat out of Countenance, or removed from the Seat of Juſtice by Vice however rampant. They fear not to ſit in the Gate, tho' confronted by bold and daring Sinners: Nor can they be baffled and run down by bare-faced Impudence. Their Iron Sinew muſt either bend or break. Joſhua was once and again bid to approve himſelf ſuch an one; to be Bold and of good Courage and not Fear See Joſh. 1. 6, 9, 18. Men of a cowardly truckling & mean Spirit, will do but little Service; but will oft be out-faced in the Execution of Juſtice, Clear p. 11Heads and ſtout Hearts, ſays Henry, make good Rulers and Judges.

5. Another Qualification is an Anti-worldly Spirit. They ſhould be ſuch by rights: Men that hate Covetouſneſs. Gen. 18. 21. Men of a Generous and Noble Contempt of Worldly Wealth: Not only ſuch who ſeek not Bribes, but ſuch who Abhor even the very thoughts of it. That man an't fit to Rule, who don't deſpiſe the gain of Oppreſſion and ſhake his hands from holding Bribes, Iſa. 33. 15. God complained of ſuch of old, who Judged for a Reward, Mic. 3. 11. Chap. 7.3. The Reward which a Jealous God will give ſuch is very ſad. 'Tis verily a ſad time, when a poor injured People can't have Juſtice done them, without an extravagant Feeing & Bribing the more principal Judges, Lawyers and Attorneys. Shall ſuch Repreſent that GOD who tells us, He Judges not for a Reward Deut. 10. 17. It brings to mind a bold, yet deſerved ſtroke of Catulus, meeting the Roman Judges returning home, after they had Acquitted Clodius a great Malefactor; You, ſaid he, do well to be well Guarded for the Safety and Security of the Money you took for Bribes. A good Ruler will not only hate ſuch Practiſes in himſelf, but will be careful to have no hand in Advancing others p. 12of ſuch rottenneſs to Places of Honour & Dignity. They look on ſuch Gain, but as a Cankering Ruſt; and eſteem a Little well-gotten, better than Treaſures gotten by Iniquity and Oppreſſion. They are ſuch who admire the Life of Famous Judge Hale.

6. A Publick Spirit is an Excellent Qualification in a Candidate for Rule: Such I mean, who have the Publick Intereſt lying near to their heart; that bear the Burden of it about with them from Day to Day. Such men the Intereſt of the People, is the greateſt thing in the world with them. We read, when Samuel made a Feaſt for Saul, 1 Sam. 9.24. The portion he ſent him, was the Shoulder: If there's in it any Allegorical ſenſe, as ſome acute Schoolmen imagine, it may intimate the Weight of Government; and that a People's Intereſt ſhould ly near to a Ruler's Heart; and the need that Rulers have of ſtrong Shoulders, a Generous Noble Spirit. A Narrow▪ Contracted, Selfiſh Spirit, is unbecoming men in Publick Capacity.

7. If a good meaſure of Activity and Zeal may be but added, we ſhall have a Ruler of Conſummate Excellency indeed. And verily without this, he'll be but too heavy moulded to move regularly in this Orb and Sphere. p. 13Civil Rulers ſhould be made of the beſt Metal: Not Tin nor Lead, the one is too Flex-able, the other too Fragil▪ Rulers ſhould be men of Senſe and Feeling; that can be red hot when there is occaſion for it, as the word ſignifies, Rom. 12. 11. Fervent. 'Tis true, Men that will appear in a declining day with a diſtinguiſhing Zeal for Juſtice and Piety, ſhall be ſtigmatized & reproached, as hot Headed and Raſh men: but this ſhould not abate their Zeal, but rather increaſe it. They ſhould be Cloathed with Zeal, as the Phraſe is, Iſa 59▪17 Phineas was Commended for his Zeal, and highly Rewarded too, Numb. 25. 11, 13 Natural Temper may be a great help to a man, but when Nature and Grace concur, a man may do great things I forbear adding, and proceed to the Reaſons.

1. The Firſt Reaſon and Evidence, Such Rulers are like to anſwer, in ſome good meaſure, the Ends of Civil Rule & Government. A good Ruler, ſays Fuller, is one that looks on Salus Populi, to be Maxima Charta He owns what Cicero ſaid, that Salus Populi eſt Finis imperii; The great ſubordinate End is the Publick good; the Means and Laws of Government muſt be calculated to work and bring about that End & Effect. And a good Ruler knows theſe Maxims are not only founded in Nature, p. 14but expreſly aſſerted in God's Word: Rom. 13.4. He is the miniſter of God for good. A Peoples good is the End. A good Ruler will ſtudy the Intereſt of the Common-wealth, and will not ſuffer any Private Views to come in Competition therewith: All ſhall be Sacrificed to ſubſerve the Publick. He's one that has a Compaſſionate Regard for thoſe of his Charge. Hence they are compared to Fathers and Nurſing Mothers, Iſa. 49. 23. In the Book of Judges we find when Barak was ordered by Deborah the Propheteſs, to Levy Forces and Oppoſe Siſerah, Barak refuſes …nleſs ſhe will go with him, tho' he knew her Preſence wou'd bear away the Trophies of Honour and Eclipſe his Glory, when he ſhould be crown'd with Succeſs, One makes this Obſervation upon it, that Barak was one that valued more the Succeſs of the Enterprize, than his own Honour; having more at Heart the Publick Good than his own Honour. And 'tis obſerved, That a Saul before the Spirit of God departed from him, will be in diſtreſs for his People, 1 Sam. 11. 5. Henry's Note upon it is, That good Rulers will be in Pain, when their Subjects are in Tears. There will be a readineſs in ſuch Rulers to do even the beſt and all they can for the Subject. 'Tis an Ahaſuerus and an Haman, that can ſit down to Eat and Drink p. 15when the City Shuſhan is Perplexed. A good Ruler can't look on himſelf Happy, unleſs the Subject be ſo too. Good Rulers conſider well that their Peace, Proſperity & Succeſs, much depends on their intereſt in the hearts of the People: Therefore they will endeavour to ſuit and pleaſe the People what they may and can A Condeſcending Spirit is no unbecoming Qualification in a Ruler. 'Tis taken Notice of by the Hiſtorian, to the honour of Trajon the Emperor, That once when mounted for Battle, he diſmounted his Horſe to hear the Complaint of a Poor Woman, that Cryed to him for Juſtice. 'Tis Chronicled of our Edward the VIth. That he would appoint certain Hours to ſet with the Maſter of Requeſts, to ſee a Diſpatch given to the Cauſes of the Poor. They that can paſs by the repeated Cries and Complaints of the Subject and not take Notice thereof, han't the good Nature of the Unjuſt Judge. Good Rulers in their Exalted Station, think it not too low a ſtoop to do Service for God and their Country. 'Tis no ways inferior for a Governour to ſtep into Inferior Courts, or into the Place of a Juſtice of Peace, to take care that Juſtice be done, and the Laws Executed, when Neceſſity calls therefor. Dignity of Place Excuſes not from Extenſiveneſs of Service. Excellent Mr. Henry Obſerves, p. 16That when the Holy Ghoſt is about to give an Inſtance of Solomon's Wiſdom, a Proof is not fetch'd from the Myſteries of State, or the Policies of the Council-Board; but from the Trial & Determination of a Cauſe between Party & Party. And obſerves, That tho' Princes devolve ſuch Buſineſs upon their Judges, yet they ought not to think it a matter below Themſelves to take Cognizance of Solomon the King patiently hears what the Parties had to ſay, the Caſe Opened, not by Lawyers, ſays he, but the Parties themſelves, and then gives Judgment He did not divolve the Cauſe upon Inferior Officers; He himſelf will ſee Juſtice done, tho' a great King.

2. Such Rulers will have the Preſence of God with them As good Rulers will be in a good meaſure Faithful to their Truſt, ſo God will be with them to Guide, Proſper and Succeed them; and may if they will, many times, do a great deal of Service. The Promiſe made to Saints, in Pſal. 1. 3. Whatſoever he doth ſhall Proſper, Extends to the Civil Ruler in the faithful Endeavour to diſcharge his Duty, as well as to men in a Private Capacity; 2 Chron. 15. … So in that 1 Sam 18. 14. Tis ſaid, David behaved himſelf wiſely in his ways, and the Lord was with him▪ In 2 Sam. 8. 14. 15 Tis ſaid, That David Executed Judgment & Juſtice to Iſrael, and the Lord Preſerved or Proſpered p. 17him whither ſoever he went▪ 1 King. 2. 1, 23. Altho' Civil Rulers may ſink far below what they could wiſh or deſire, yet their Labours ſhall be Rewarded, and oftentimes with good Succeſs. Tis obſervable at how low an Ebb Religion, good Order run of old in he Days of Bad Kings, and how they revived in the Reign of Good Kings.

3. The very Examples of ſuch Rulers will do much good, many times, among a People. Examples are very taking: They are oft more Influential than Precepts. The Heathen Seneca was wont to ſay, …us Exemplis quam P…aeceptis Vivimus. But 'tis eſpecially true of the Examples of great Men, Magnates magnetes. Tis true the III Examples of ſuch will have moſt Followers: Many will be exceeding ready to take Advantage of any thing that looks like Ill in ſuch men, to the hardning themſelves in their Sin; and ſo greedy are many of ſuch Advantages, that they cenſure the more innocent Practiſes of great Men, and put an ill Face on Innocency to juſtify themſelves in what is real Vice. If Miniſters and Magiſtrates do now and then make an innocent Viſit to the Tavern, ſome men will look on themſelves Excuſed, if they ſit & Tipple, & ſpend a great part of their Time there. Tis lamentably true. That ill p. 18Examples of ſuch men will Corrupt not a few. We read of Manaſſeh, that he made Judah to Sin, 2 Chron. 32.9. Which as Divines obſerve, was done much if … more by his Example than by his Commands. I ſay that good Examples and bad will have their Influence. The Maxim of old Claudianus has truth in it, Regis ad Exemplum totus Componitur Orbis. The Hiſtorian obſerves to the Reproach of this Nation, That It changed her Religion Four times in Twelve Years. Great Men, ſays Trap, are the Country Peoples Looking-glaſſes, by which they Dreſs themſelves. Both the Faſhions & Religion of the Court will have their Influence. One obſerves, that when Criſpus the Chief Ruler of the Synagogue believed, many of the Corinthians believed alſo, Act. 18.8

4. Good Rulers will prove Gap-men. They will be a good Defence many times to a People, and a Means to keep off heavy & awful Judgments. It may be ſaid of them as of him, 2 King. 2. 12. They are as the Chariots & Horſemen of Iſrael. True, it may come to that, That God may ſay as of old, Tho' Moſes and Samuel ſtood before me, yet my Face cannot be toward this People, Jer.15. 1▪ And, Wo to ſuch a People. Yet tis oft better times with a People and a very few may prevail with the Lord to ſpare & turn away from the p. 19fierceneſs of His Anger. Tis agreable with God's wonted manner of the Government with a People, when good Rulers ſtand up Zealouſly in Pleading the Cauſe of God, God regards the People for their Sakes One Zealous Juſtice in a Place, may do a great deal to avert awful impending Judgments. One Phinehas of old turned away the Wrath of God from the Lord's Profeſſing People. See Numb. 25. 11. So it was in the caſe of Achan, ſo ſoon as Joſhua does Juſtice upon Achan, God's Anger ceaſes towards the People The Prayers and Interceſſions of men in Publick Capacity, are very Prevalent with God: God oft hears the Prayers and Cries of ſuch on the behalf of a poor People, and ſpares them for the ſake of Pious Rulers. If Pious men in a Private Capacity may do much to Save a People, much more may men in Exalted Stations, if good, do to Save a people from Publick Calamities.

The APPLICATION followeth.

USE, I. Of Information and Inſtruction, in ſundry Branches.

1. Learn hence the great Priviledge of People in an Elective Government: A Government where People have the Liberty of Chooſing p. 20their Rulers, ſuch a Government as this Colony is Favoured with. Tis much to be feared, we have many who are weary of their Priviledges, & are willing to part with them, yea to caſt them away. Some who are men of reſtleſs Spirits & hanker after Novelties, Nova Placent. Some of an haughty, ſelf-conceited, aſpiring Humour, that long for Advancement. Some again are Croſſed in their pretended Intereſt, and upon a Revolution, hope for a Reparation. Others again of a mean low Spirit who Cry out of heavy Taxes. Were we under Oppreſſion, what Government under better Advantages to Redreſs its Grievances, than where they chooſe their own Governours & Rulers, & from among themſelves? Tis well known that our Priviledges are of great Value & Worth in the Eyes of other Governments, and we Envied on the account of them, by Men and Places not now to be mentioned. Tis pity that CONNECTICUT who Enjoy them, ſhould Undervalue them. Tis our Abuſe that gives all the reaſonable grounds of Uneaſineſs. It was of old accounted a great Priviledge, not to have Strangers ſet over a People, but ſuch as were of their Brethren, Deut. 1…. 15. Tis one of the Priviledges ſpoken of, Jer. 30. 20, 21. That their Governours & their Nobles ſhould proceed from the midſt of them. And p. 21where ſo likely as in a Government which may chooſe their own Rulers?

2. Then 'tis a Calamitous Time & a Dark Day with a People, who are Governed by Bad Rulers. If it be an Happy Time with a People under good Rulers, it muſt then be the Reverſe under bad Governours. Such will become Grins, Traps & Snares, and bring a great deal of Miſchief upon a People. Little good can be Expected from them, but a deal of ill. It was a ſad time with them of old, under ſuch Rulers, mentioned, Iſa. 59. 14, 15. Judgment is turned away backward, Juſtice ſtandeth as far off; Truth fails in the ſtreets, & Equity cannot enter; when he that departs from Evil makes himſelf a Prey. Tis a ſad time with a Land, when wicked men are Exalted, Pſal. 12. 8. Sin will in a little time (without a glorious Revolution) walk bare-faced through the Streets & ride in the black Chariot of Inſolence, and the Land ſhall Mourn; the Sparks of God's anger will be enkindled to a Flame that won't ſoon and eaſily be Quenched: Yea there's great hazard leſt the Sluices & Flood-g… be plucked up and an Inundation of Mi…y break in. Tis a dreadful ſign of God▪ Anger, when he gives over a People to be Ruled by ſuch Men. Rulers have many times by their Male-adminiſtration, a great hand in p. 22pulling down the Judgments of Heaven upon a People. A People may be puniſhed for their Rulers Sins. There are many ſignal Inſtances and Examples of it on Scripture Record: Particularly that of David, whoſe Sin in Numbring the People, brought down Miſchief upon the Head of the People. Some indeed ſuppoſe David's Sin but the Occaſion and their own the procuring Cauſe; but Famous and Acute Alſop, ſomewhere ſmiles at ſuch an Opinion. Civil Rulers are Repreſentatives & Common Parents, and their Sin may many ways redound to the hurt of the People. Families are ruined by Sin & Kingdoms too, ruined by the Heads of them. If great Men do wickedly, they involve many others both in the Guilt and in the Smart: They go to hell with a large Train. See Henry on 1 King. XIV. Chap.

3. Then it muſt follow, that the Removal of Good, Able, Faithful Rulers, brings matter of Lamentation to a Bereaved People. Tis a dark Day with ſuch a People; Eſpecilly ſo, when there is little proſpect of a Reparation of Breaches. It was a ſad time with them of old, when it was ſaid, Tho' ſhe had had ſtrong Rods to Rule, & her Stature was Exalted, yet it came to that, She was plucked up in fury, Ezek. 19. 11,—Such Caſes can ſcarce be too much p. 23Bewailed. Tis a Day in which an Angry God is calling us in this Government to Lamentation & Mourning. What ſhall we ſay? We are come a'moſt to a ſtand. The Lord has been writing bitter things againſt us and has given us wormwood & gall to drink The Roll that God has written, has been full of Lamentation & Mourning & Wo, Ezek. 2. 10. None of the leaſt of the Frowns that appear in the face of God's awful Providence, is that of his plucking up our Stakes & pulling down our Pillars. Many of the Stars which not long ſince ſhined bright and with great luſtre in their Orb, are either Removed or Eclipſed, and our Hemiſphere is darkned. Among others that are Removed, our SALTON-STALL is one, a Man TRULY Great. In the Day of his Removal, it might be ſaid, as in the fall of Abner, 2 Sam. 3. 38. This day is a Prince & a great Man fallen. A Man who ſhin'd with diſtinguiſhing Excellencies in every Station. All Strangers to him at their trials found him a man of unexpected Affability, and every way a Gentleman. View him where you will! Walking in his Houſe and when under the greateſt Trials, in Patience & ſelf-Command, Uncommon. Eye him at the head of his Troops, and you'll ſee Mars ſhining in his Luſtre and Glory. When on his little Throne ſurrounded with p. 24his Councillors, he was their Oracle; and his word gave Law to moſt. His Countenance intermix'd with Gravity & Complacency, which Charm'd & Commanded the Admiration of Beholders. His Frowns were more than a match for the daring & impudent. Some have tho't him Comparable to Argus King of Peloponeſus, for his ſingular Sagacity & Circumſpection; to Berianeus, for his Dexterity and Proweſs; to Bringarius, for Knowlege, of whom tis ſaid, He knew all things Knowable. His Death carries one thing Remarkable in it, which I'v tho't much of; the Deaths & Mortality which preceded & follow'd it, which made us call to mind, what is Recorded of King James I. viz. As if a King ſhould not want his Train, ſome to uſher on before, & others to follow after. Such a Mortality of Nobility & Commonalty attended, the like was ſcarce ever known in this Kingdom. If any were ready to Magnify his Imperfections, let 'em know, that the greateſt & beſt of Men have their Butt's. As for his Superior Excellencies, what are imitable let us follow, what above our reach, let us admire; and as becometh, let ſuppoſed Infirmities be cover'd with the mantle of Charity & a moſt candid Interpretation. Elias himſelf was a man of like Paſſion, &c. The greateſt of Men are but men, & he that looks for more of any, abuſes both him and others too.

p. 254. Then let this teach a People priviledged with good Rulers, the deep Obligations & Engagements they are under to Gratitude & Reſpect. It becomes them upon their bended Knees to acknowlege God's Favour & diſtinguiſhing Benovelence to them-ward. Tis owing to Him that ſuch Rulers are ſet up among a People, Prov. 8. 16. He tis that ſets up one & pulls down another, Pſal. 75. 7. And God might have ſet up ſuch as would have been a provocation to Him, ſtir'd up his Anger and Diſpleaſure. God ſometimes gives Governours & Rulers in Anger, Hoſ. 13. 11. God ſhould be Acknowleged when he gives them Rulers after his own Heart.

There's an Obligation of Reſpect due to good Rulers themſelves too, from a People. A People are bound to reverence & obey ſuch. To do all they can to ſtrengthen their hands & encourage their hearts. Men ſhould not indulge themſelves in mean & low tho'ts of Rulers, or their Office-work. They ſhould likewiſe chearfully & liberally Support them in their ſeveral Relations, and Reward them for their good Services. To do otherwiſe is baſe Ingratitude both to God and Man. A baſe & niggardly Spirit is far from an Honour to a People ſo priviledged. A good Governour ſhould eat the Bread of a Governour, Neh. Vth. Chapt.

p. 26I ſhall take leave in the Next Place, to Addreſs my ſelf to thoſe in Higheſt Station & Relation, the GOVERNOUR & DEPUTY-GOVERNOUR, Honourable & much Honoured.

Sirs, It muſt be owned to be a dark and gloomy Day, in the which a glorious and merciful God, is Advancing You to the Head of Rule & Government among us. It can't be denied, the holy God has many ways weakned our hands, and has made breach upon breach, as was ſaid, Job. 16. 14. And we have been ready to ſay, Our breaches are wide even as the Sea, who can heal us, Lam. 2. 16. And that our wounds were even incurable.

The People over whom you Rule, are many of them Giddy and Head-ſtrong, and a Levelling Spirit prevails among us. Therefore your Province will be difficult, your Work and Buſineſs great, which will be enough to fill Heart, Head and Hands too. This will be diſcouraging; let it not be ſinking. Your Honours know the near affinity between Honos and Onus. Honour has its burden. Antonius would ſay, Imperium eſt Oceanum malorum, He that Ruleth is in a Sea of Evils. But we truſt you will never have reaſon to ſay, as one did, Foelix ſi non imperitaſſem, Happy had I been had I never been a Ruler. Be on the ſide of God, and He will be with you, 2 Chron. 15. 2. And he p. 27can make Mountains to become Plains before you. And ſuffer us, much Honoured, to tell you, that we cannot but conceive Light ariſing out of thick Darkneſs, & that our joy muſt ſuperſede our well nigh overwhelming Sorrow & Fear, when we ſee your Honours at Helm in our lacerated and diſtracted Government, & in the midſt of our intricate Affairs. We come not to Salute your Honours, Dictis Phe…eratis, &c. and with gaudy Elecutions and fulſome Hyperbolies & Flatteries; remembring what's written▪ Joh 17. 5. & 22, 21, 22. But with all Plainneſs and no leſs heartineſs & integrity, we congratulate your Honours, (we'll adventure to ſay) Happy Advancement: And we are big with hopes of ſeeing you, in a comfortable meaſure, the Repairers of our Breaches, and truſt that under the conduct of your Wiſdom, we ſhall …ear no complaint of Arbitrary Power & Deſp…ick Proceedings among us. Sirs, You are under great and deep Obligations to Faithfulneſs. The Eyes of God and man are upon you. Suffer not your Friends of raiſed Expectations, to be ſhamed. There's a Day of Account for the God's of the Earth; a Day when the Higheſt, muſt ſtand upon a Level with the meaneſt▪ Page, the Prince on the … with a Beggar on the Dunghil…: The King muſt be diveſted of his Royal Robe… ▪ … by his diſtinguiſhing p. 28Characters, & ſtand at the Bar with the meaneſt Beggar, Pſal. 82. 6, 7. Death i… a great Leveller. If, much Honoured, you are found Faithful to God & man, a maſſy Crown will make you forget all your Pains here. And 'tis what we humbly bow before our LORD & JUDGE for, & beg that tho' our Gold be changed, it may not become Dim, nor our Salt looſe its ſavour. Amen.

The Exhortation follows to ſuch as ſhall be our Rulers in Civil Place, the Year enſuing; particularly, the Members of our Great & General Aſſembly, Honourable, Worthy & highly Reſpected, Suffer the Exhortation which firſtly appertains to you, Labour to approve yourſelves good Rulers over this the Lords Heritage in your reſpective Places & Capacities: Such as ſhall be Bleſſings to them; ſuch who ſhall give them abundant cauſe to Bleſs God for you. And here, tho' much has been handed down from this awful Desk, by better heads & hands, on like Opportunities, yet I may not be wholly Silent, & beg leave with freedom & Liberty, to offer a few things.

1. Let Reformation-work be one of the main Articles in your Conſultations. (And, Oh! that it might ly with due weight upon you) Tis, I hope, beyond Controverſie, to many, (wou'd to God, I might ſay, to all) that the p. 29Holy and Jealous God has a Controverſy with this Land; God is writing bitter things againſt us in ſuch fiery Characters, as methinks, ſhould make them Legible & Obvious to all. Our Righteous God is many ways teſtifying his Diſpleaſure againſt us & we can't expect the removal of Gods Anger without Repentance & Reformation. ſee Joſh. 7. 12. Hoſ. 5. 12, 14, 15. And 'tis the important Duty & Intereſt of every one to ſay as they, Lam. …. 40. Let us ſearch our ways & turn to the Lord our God. But no ſmall Article in our Malady, is a Spirit of Inſenſibility. Some are ſo Sottiſh as to own no great reaſon for Reformation: They think it fares as well with us now, as Forty or Fifty Years ago; and that there's as much Religion now as then, in Proportion to the Number of the People. They are ignorant men and objects of Pity. But among ſuch as own the great need of Reformation, there is a great deal of Diviſion: They are not agreed what 'tis that is the Achan & Troubler of our Peace, or what Sins are the incendiaries, and that blow up the ſparks of Gods Anger into ſo high a Flame. Sirs, Tis by ſo much the more your Work & Buſineſs, to ſtudy and conſult where and how to begin & puſh forward a Reformation. Tis the important Duty of Magiſtrates & Miniſters jointly to Engage p. 30themſelves in this important Affair. And, Oh! That our Civil Rulers would in their reſpective Capacities, ſeriouſly and ſolemnly Conſider what might and ought be done in this our Day… ▪ I am perſwaded great things might be done. Good Rulers when in good earneſt, have oft done great & good Services. Hezekiah, Joſiah & others are Inſtances of it. Tho' they cannot change the Heart, yet they may and can reform the Life. They cannot Mortify, yet they can Curb & Reſtrain the Corruption and ill-manners of a People in good meaſure and degree. Sirs, Your Cries to God for us & a diſtinguiſhing Zeal, becoming your Character, might have glorious Effects. If the People Periſh, let not the fault ly at your Doors. And know that God looks on you as Guardians to His and his Peoples intereſt, and expects much from you.

2. Let us have Laws Neceſſary, well Explained and Enforced.

(1.) Sharpen the Sword of Juſtice as there ſhall be occaſion. Let Penalties affixed be proportioned to the Offence & the Aggravations thereof. Tis a great blemiſh to a Chriſtian Common-wealth, when leſſer Crimes are more ſeverely Puniſhed, than higher and greater Offences. I fear, that in ſome caſes wherein the Name of God & the Intereſt of Religion are more eſpecially concern'd, there p. 31wants greater acumen and keeneſs: The penalty which may be Sufficient to reſtrain a Vice in one Age, may be much too Low in another.

(2.) It might be well if ſome eſpecially, of our Laws were mended and Explicated, and it might hopefully be done to good Purpoſe in many Inſtances. 'Tis much to be feared that many Officers, Grand-jurors & Juſtices too, are many times wretchedly ſhort in their Duty. And when we Conſider the Solemn Ty's of the Oath of God upon them, we are Loth to account for their groſs Defects in any other way than this, of aſſigning for the grand Cauſe thereof, their Unacquaintedneſs with the Nature, Senſe and Meaning of the Laws. 'Tis pity but that they might be helped.

(3.) Let me humbly recommend to your Serious Conſideration, whether ſome more Effectual method ought not to be taken to give Force to the Laws and invigorate the juſt Execution of them, at Leaſt, in many Inſtances. May not a Severer Penalty for the Neglect of Inferior Officers be of great Service? 'Tis beyond Contradiction, that Vice grows, notwithſtanding our good and wholeſome Laws; the Laws Slighted, Baffled and Neglected. Intemperance, Tavern-haunting, Sabbath-breaking and Uncleanneſs are very Common. p. 32Sailing & Travelling upon the Lord's Day, too much connived & winked at, which Crimes are worthy your Notice, & if not obviated & reformed, 'tis more than feared a Fire will be enkindled that will not be quenched, as we may ſee by Jeremiah 17. ult.

3. Then let me intreat that Care be Conſcientiouſly taken, that ſuch and only ſuch be Inveſted with the Executive Power, who are moſt likely well and vigorouſly to put the juſt Laws in Execution, according to the true intent & meaning of them. Suffer not ſuch to be Commiſſionated and Betruſted with a Buſineſs of ſuch importance, who have ſhewn themſelves but as Cyphers, or who have been Unskilful, or proved themſelves as Unfaithful in times paſt, till amended. 'Tis a great & unknown Injury when men Unqualified are Exalted. A Secular Ruler (ſays How) in his Living Temple, pag. mihi, 262, 3. is ſet up and eſtabliſhed purpoſely for the Good of the Community, as the more Principal End of his Conſtitution. The People are not form'd for him, but he for them. And the Adminiſtration of Juſtice is a Publick & Common Right wherewith he is intruſted. And his Neglect is a Violation of Publick Juſtice. 'Tis a wrong done to the Community and will be of ill-Conſequence. Let ſuch as are likely to anſwer the End of ſuch a Poſt be Advanced, & always Encouraged.

p. 333. Study Unity and Peace. Let there be Peace, as much as Poſſible, among your ſelves. Good Agreement in the Court is a good Sign, and the contrary bad. I remember Excellent Mr Henry ſays, Ill Practices in the Country, will never be Suppreſſed there, while they are Supported in the Court. Study Peace at home and then endeavour it, what you may among your People. Diviſions, Animoſities in Courts, Prove coſtly to them & the People too: A Kingdom divided, &c. cannot ſtand. Mat. 12. 25.

4. Let me humbly Pray that due Care be taken of the Goſpel Miniſtry. When I came to this Topick, I was bro't to a ſtand, and Conſidering how invidious a Theam 'tis to many, and how Neglected and Cenſured Diſcourſes of this Nature have been before, Little good Notice taken, but many Malignant Reflections made. I was at a Loſs, whether it would not be for Edification wholly to paſs it by: But Conſidering that I Suffer leſs, than it may be, ſome of my Reverend Fathers & Brethren do, and that I may never have the Honour of ſuch Like Opportunity of putting in a Plea for the Goſpel Miniſtry, I ſhall therefore take the greater freedom and adventure, Sirs, We Look to you as Guarantees for the Miniſters Maintenance, intreating you to take Care that they be duly Encouraged p. 34and Supported. Verily, it will not in the Eyes of JESUS CHRIST, be too low a ſtoop for you, or beyond the Line of your Buſineſs to make Enquiry into the Circumſtances of our Miniſters▪ Say not, Honoured and Reſpected, That it will be time enough to take Cognizance of their Low and mean State, when Complaint is made to you by them. 'Tis out of tender regard to Souls; And fear leſt ſuch Applications to you, ſhould diſaffect many of their Hearers & ſo render their Miniſtry among them in vain, that many ſuffer greatly; rather than adventure. Surely, our Leaders, cannot be ſuch Strangers in our Iſrael, as not to know there is in many Places too great a Neglect as to the Maintenance and Support of ſuch as Repreſent Jeſus Chriſt and are Ambaſſadors of Peace. Their Work is great, Honourable and Laborious, their Encouragement ignoble ſlender and much too ſhort. I muſt take leave to ſay, There are few and but few if any that can live upon their Salaries. The Credit of that Little Paper they come at, is ſunk wretchedly Low and is now of little Value: Their Wages not paid in due ſeaſon; and tis eaſy for the Fathers of our Commonwealth to remedy the latter Effectually, & in ſome Meaſure the former inconvenience, & why may we not humbly Expect it? Neh. p. 3513. 10, 11, 12. 2 Chron 30. 22. And even in many Places where there are the moſt bright and acceptable Preachers, there the love of many waxeth Cold; and there an't ſuch frequent Gratuities given as in former Days, which were wont to be a great help for the Support of the Miniſtry. And there will be ſuch a Neglect in a declining Time, when the ſword of the Spirit, is ſheathed in the bowels of mens beloved Luſts and the line of Diſcipline duly drawn over them, many will ſoon become Diſ-affected & abate in their Miniſterial Zeal and Charity. The great Apoſtle Paul, complains of it, Gal. 4. 11, 15, 16. It was a ſay of an Eminent, Reverend, I earned and Faithful Miniſter of Jeſus Chriſt, That let a Miniſter approve himſelf Faithful but Eight or Ten Years, and he ſhall looſe the hearts of many of his Hearers, if not the moſt of them; and that it will be time for him to remove. May we not fear that tis too lamentably true? Conſider, Sirs, The Care & Charge of Goſpel Miniſters is ſolemn & awful. 1 Tim. 4. 15. Give thy ſelf Wholly to thy work. And how is it poſſible for ſome to devote themſelves to the care of poor Souls? And how can they expect ſucceſs, when they are forced out of their Studies into the Fields or Shops, for the neceſſary Support of themſelves and Families. There is no need of a ſpirit of p. 36Prophecy to … that little of … like to …rive in ſuch Caſes and Places.

Learning will fail and ſink in that Order of man in an Age or two at moſt, here and there one excepted. And Miniſters will not be able to Vindicate the Truth and convince Gainſayers, as they ſhould. Tit. 1, 9. How ſhall they be able to ſave their Flocks from the Cunning Craft and Subtilty of Learned Seducers? Verily, Luther was in the right, when he ſaid, That the Flouriſhing of a Chriſtian Common-wealth depended much upon it's being Furniſhed with worthy, Able and Learned Men, particularly in the Miniſtry. Religion never did nor can Flouriſh Long in a Land without a Learned Miniſtry. 'Tis ſad that there ſhould be any amongſt us (who yet are loth to be tho't tinged with Enthuſiaſm or Quakei…m) decry Learning in the Miniſtry. But, Honoured and Reſpected, may we not hope for better Principles in you?

Error and Ignorance will prevail in a Neglected Miniſtry. Ignorance is ſaid to be the Mother of Devotion, but it may with greater verity be ſaid to be the Mother of Error and Superſtition. Many an honeſt and well-meaning man will imbibe groſs & dangerous Errors, even ere he's aware; Not being able to diſtinguiſh between Truth & Error; and like them, Iſa. 5. 20. Will take Evil for p. 37Good, or Good for Evil, and put Darkneſs for Light, …

The People will be trained up in Error, and be in great Hazard of ſtarving for lack of Knowlege and Underſtanding. The Blind will Lead the Blind. It was a ſad time with them of old, when their Leaders & Teachers cauſed them to Err. Iſa. 3. 12. C…p. 9. 16. Jer. 23. 13, 3… Mic. 3, 5,

Starving of the Miniſtry, will at beſt bring in Hierarchy into the Church, as might eaſily be made to appear, had we a …it Place and Seaſon for it. In a word, Religion will die, and little of the Life & Power of Godlineſs, be maintained and kept up in the midſt of ſuch a People.

Let a good Underſtanding be Cultivated between Moſes and Aaron. This is requiſite in order to a mutual Servicableneſs in the Support of each others Dignity and Honour. It's no way ſo likely that their Honours ſhould be maintained, agreable to their Character, by any means whatſoever, without this. One obſerves, that when Saul fends to the People, 2 Sam. 11. 7. He joins Samuel with him; and notes, That in the Execution of the Office of a King, he would not do it without due Regard to the Prophet of the Lord; and while Saul kept in with Samuel, things went pretty well in Iſrael.

p. 38I have oft thought of what is ſtoried of Famous Queen Eliſabeth, who was ſaid to be a great Favourer of the Clergy; That when at a … Viſiting the County of Suffolk, where all the Juſtices of the Peace met Her Majeſty, each one having his Miniſter to attend him, and next to his Body; the Queen taking notice of it, I have oft, ſaid She, demanded of my privy Council, why this County is better Govern'd than other Places but never underſtood the Sea on till now; but it muſt be ſo, replied the Queen, Where the Word and the Sword go together. Theſe two Orders of Dignified & Priviledged men, conjoint in Zeal, may do great things. Amen.

Let me once more proceed and earneſtly Sollicit your Serious Conſideration whether the multiplying Societies for Pretended Conveniences o… attending God's Publick Worſhip, an't of dark Aſpect & likely to prove baneful to Religion among us. I know the great Plea made for it, is Religion; the Plea is plauſible: Would to God, we had no reaſon to fear that many times, ſome of the Principal Promoters of Diviſions are acted by nothing leſs than ſuch a Principle: They have other things in view and we cannot find, but many of them, are as ſeldom at Church, as when Living at a greater diſtance. Nor was the old Proverb altogether without p. 39ground, The nearer the Church, the farther from Heaven. We ſhall find theſe very men that Complain moſt of the Burthen of Maintaining the Miniſtry, where their Tax a mounted, it may be, but to Two-pence on the Pound, are the moſt Zealous Sticklers for Separate Societies, where their Charge muſt be greatly inhanſed and increaſed. This will be the fruit, Young, Raw, Unqualified men will be Imployed in the moſt Sacred Work; and it will be as in Jer…b…'s Days. 1 King 12. 31. The meaner of the People will become Priests, and then farewel Religion. Tis well known, that too too many their Enquiry …an't concerning a man whether he be an Able, Learned Man, an holy Spiritual Preacher▪ But what his Demands are. A cheap Miniſter is the great Article in deſire of too many. In a word, Were there more of Zeal for God and Love to his Ordinances, there would be a great deal leſs of a reſtleſs Spirit after Diviſions and crumbling into ſmall Societies.

The next Branch of Exhortation, has a particular Reference to the Free-men of this Corporation. See to it that in the improvement of the Priviledges you are indulged the Enjoyment of, you Faithfully Endeavour the choice of ſuch for Rulers, as ſhall approve themſelves Faithful and good Rulers. To Enforce p. 40this, Brethren and Reſpected, let me Beſeech you,

1. To Conſider the Oath of God is upon you: And you are therefore under Awful, Sacred and Solemn Bonds to Faithfulneſs and Conſcientiouſneſs; And yet 'tis much to be feared, many don't keep their Oath▪ 'Tis hard to imagine how they can be Conſcientious, and do as many do; when many are governed by unreaſonable Fear, guided by Affection, Party, Intereſt or Envy. When men in Chooſing Rulers regard not thoſe Qualifications neceſſary to their anſwering the End of their Office and the main Duties of that Relation. Such cannot be juſtified and eſteemed Conſcientious and Faithful to God and Man, who by a careleſs or worſe Violation of the Bonds of a Sacred Oath, they lay themſelves under the Dreadful Curſe of Heaven, Neh. 10. 29.

2. When you thus neglect Duty, you make your Selves Partakers of their Sin, and ſhare in the Guilt of their Male-adminiſtrations. Therefore know aſſuredly, that

3. If Miſchief be bro't upon the Common-wealth by ſuch, the Fault will be Charged upon you, and God will require it at your Hands as well as the Rulers. Let me beſeech you to lay theſe things to heart, and the Lord give you Wiſdom and Underſtanding.

p. 41(1.) Beware of men of a Temporizing Spirit: Such as eaſily ſwim down the Stream and Currant of the Times and Places in which they live: Such who eaſily Conform themſelves to almoſt any thing, to ſerve a turn. Men who can ſhift their Sails to ſuit the wind of Temptation of Self-intereſt. Rulers ſhould be men of ſteady Principles, and ſuch as won't readily warp. I remember I have read of my Lord Paulet, who under various changes of Government & Intereſt, changed his Profeſſion oft, and being asked the reaſon of His unſteadineſs, Replied, Becauſe, Ex Salice non ex quereu natus ſum▪ That he was made of the tender and pliable Willow; not of the ſturdy and ſtiff Oak▪ Men of ſuch Reuben-like Tempers and Principles, an't fit to bear Rule.

(2.) I cannot Recommend to your Choice, men that are ambitious of Honour and greedy of Preferment. Such men are ſeldom able to bear Sail▪ You may read their Character & what they are like to prove in a day of Temptation, in that Inſtance of Abſalom, recorded in that 2 Sam. 15. chap. throughout. Such men are prone to take ill-meaſures to aſcend the ſtair of Preferment and gain the Chair. Jehu-like, they can appear Zealous for God and Religion, when its in the way to Honour; and as readily prove Lax and p. 42appear Lukewarm under the Plea of Charity and Moderation & a Catholick Spirit, when it better ſerves their turn. They'll be very ſlow in doing Juſtice or bearing Witneſs againſt Tranſgreſſors, if they are thoſe on whom they depend for Promotion. Theſe are dangerous men Humble and Meek ſpirited men, are more likely to do God and their Country Service. Such are moſt worthy of Honour, who eſteem that the greateſt Honour, viz. to deſerve it in doing moſt Service.

(3.) Be not fond of men whoſe Zeal an't Uniform and of a peice; and ſuch whoſe Zeal an't proportionable to the Cauſe. Some men are great Sticklers in leſſer Matters, are cold or lukewarm a… beſt, in matters of greater Weight and Conſequence. You read of ſuch, Mat. 23. 23, 24. Men whoſe Zeal will riſe high in a breach of a mere penal Humane Law, yet will ſcarce be moved at the Violation of God's Law. Little concerned in a caſe where the Honour of God and the Intereſt of Religion lies a… …take▪ But red hot, if their own carnal temporal Intereſt be touched. There are too many ſuch, who can hear the Name of the Poly God lacerated & torn, by the worſe than iron Teeth of the proud Swearer and profane Sinner: ſee their Neighbours wallowing in their p. 43Filth; the Sabbath profaned, & yet make light of theſe things, and not look at themſelves concerned to take notice thereof; contrary to expreſs charge, Lev. 19. 17. Such men are altogether unfit for Government & Places of Honour: Notwithſtanding they are of an ancient Family, & you may trace their Pedegree up as high as Cain, of whom you read, Gen. 4 9.

To Conclude, in a word. Make not Choice of men in whom you have no good ground to hope for Soundneſs in Religion. Men won't make Choice of Timber for Props and Pillars in Edifices, if they Suſpect it to be rotten at heart. 'Tis the greateſt Soleciſm in Chriſtian Politicks & Abſurdity, to make Choice of ſuch men to become Pillars in a Chriſtian Common-wealth▪ Put Honour upon ſuch men whom God will Honour, and they are ſuch who Honour God, 1 Sam, 2. 20: You may oftentimes diſcover mens Unſoundneſs, by their partial Obedience, or obſervance of the law of God. Some men are careful of the External Duties of the Firſt Table but regard little Second Table Duties. They can Cheat and Couzen, Over reach & Defraud their Neibours, make no Conſcience of ſpeaking the Truth, &c. Others are Moral Honeſt Men, Juſt in p. 44their Dealings, and no man can Charge them with Fraud or Deceit. But their rottenneſs, is diſcover'd in their Laxneſs wi…h Reference to the Firſt Table; they ſlight the Name & Worſhip of God, have little regard for the Sanctification of the Lord's Day. They are Anti-miniſterial men, that beg…utch duly to Support and Honourably Maintain the Ordinances of Jeſus Chriſt. By theſe & ſuch like Marks you may ſometimes diſcover the falſe Pretender. Some men prove them…elves Hypocrites, in the Firſt Table by being wicked in the Second Table, ſays Dr Tilli…ſon▪ & by their Unrighteouſneſs, diſcover their Ungodlineſs.

Let me Conclude, with a word to this Auguſt and great Aſſembly, the Body of the People here preſent in common Capacity.

Sirs, It may be there are many of you Preſent that look on your ſelves little Concerned in what you have this …ay heard: And how many there are of you of whoſe Preſence in God's Houſe no Religious Reaſon can be aſſigned, the Lord knows.

Suffer me a word to you; it may be,One that was then an Hearer & well in Health, died the next day. you may never Live to another ſuch like Opportunity, as many have Died ſince the … ſo may you ere an other Annual Revolution.

p. 45Are good Rulers a great Bleſſing? &c. Then take heed, Sirs, that you have no hand in bringing in Rulers of another ſtamp. See to it, you don't provoke an Holy & a Jealous God to Set over you ſuch whoſe Character will be Reverſe to that of a good Ruler; and give you cauſe to Lament & Complain of Oppreſſion, and the whole Land to Mourn.

1.Beware of a Diſcontented Murmuring Spirit under ſuch a Government, for which you have great reaſon to Bleſs God. Remember ſuch a Spirit was highly Diſpleaſing and Provoking to God in his Profeſſing People of old, & coſt that People dear. See Numb. 14.11, 27. Chap. 16 21,- In caſe of Oppreſſion, tis ſometimes not only lawful but a duty to Complain; but a Sin to Murmur. And is highly Unreaſonable, eſpecially among a People who have the liberty and Priviledge of chooſing their own Rulers. Take heed, leſt a wicked Spirit make you reſtleſs after Changes and Novelty's, leſt you and yours Repent it too late. Let not a ſpirit of Error intoxicate you and make you Dream of that which will never come to paſs. The little Finger of ſuch a Governour and Government, as ſome hanker after, will prove thicker than the Loins of that more eaſy Government, you now Enjoy.

p. 462. Don't Rebel againſt the good and wholſom Laws of the Government, made to Curb and Reſtrain mens Exorbitances & Excentrick Motions. Take heed leſt you give the Fathers of our Common-wealth reaſon, and conſtrain them to complain of you to God, that you are a Rebellious People, that your Necks are as lion ſinews, and B…ows as Braſs, Iſa. 48 4. And to ſay as Moſes of them of old, We're not able to bear this People; 'Twill be ſad when it comes to that: And that they can ſay they have done all they can, yet you prove an Unreformed and Rebellious People.

3.Be much upon your Knees, Seeking to that▪ God by whom Princes Rule, and Plead hard for our Rulers, that God would ſet up and Continue ſuch to Rule over us, that ſhall be rich Bleſſings to our Land. 'Tis a Duty ſo to do See 1 Tim. 2 1, 2. God looks that you Pray for your Rulers. If ſome would do leſs at Complaining & Repining, and more at Praying, it might be better. Pray for the fulfilment of that, Iſa. 60. 17. That for Braſs, God would bring Gold, and for Iron, Silver, for wood, Braſs, for Stones, Iron: Eſpecially the latter part of the words which runs thus, I will make thy Officer… Peace and thy Exactors Righteouſneſs.

4. Bow to the Scepter of Jeſus Chriſt; that King of Glory, as he is ſtiled, in Pſal. XXIV. p. 47You'll never be good Subjects, till then. Take heed leſt by ſtanding out and Rebelling againſt His Kingly Government, you provoke the Lord to forſake you. 'Tis much to be feared, there are many of you here preſent, that have not yet Cordially yielded up to CHRIST in His Kingly Office and Government.

Let me add two or three Words here.

(1.) If you will not Submit to the Laws, the mild and gracious Government of this Gracious and Glorious King, it will be juſt with God, to Puniſh you in Leaving and giving you over into the hands of wicked and ungodly Rulers, and ſuch who ſhall Rule you with a Rod of Iron. Read & T…emble at what you Read: 1 Sam. 8. 7. They have not (ſo much) rejected thee as Me, that I ſhould not Rule over them. Oh! Sinners, you have ſome of you Rejected Jeſus Chriſt and his Government, Thouſands of times, & practically ſaid as they, Luk▪ 19 14. We will not have this Man to Rule over us. What if God ſhould deal with you ſomewhat after the manner he dealt with them of old, in the above-cited, 1 Sam 8 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. And 'tis added, Ye ſhall Cry in that Day. God can give you over into the hands of Rulers of a Sauline and Reh…oam-like Spirit. A p. 48People is oft times Puniſhed with having bad Rulers, for not improving the Advantages and Bleſſings of good Ones. After Jehoſhaphat came Jehoram.

(2.) Your Submiſſion is of abſolute Neceſſity, in order to your Salvation. There's no way poſſible for poor ſinners to eſcape the Damnation of Hell, but this of Submiſſion to Chriſt as their King to Rule and Govern them. Sinners muſt bow to his Golden Scepter, or be broken to pieces by his Iron Rod, Pſal. 2. 9, 12, Obey CHRIST in the Government of His Grace, or you'll be found at Laſt among the Number of thoſe you Read of, in that Awful Place, 2 Theſ. 1. 7, 8 9. For,

Finally. Unfaithfulneſs in Relative Duties, is an Evidence of an Unſound Heart and a Graceleſs ſtate; no leſs than Unfaithfulneſs in Perſonal Duties. Grace diſpoſes men for a diſcharge of both; it inclines men to keep all God's Commands, bows the Heart to the Yoke of Jeſus Chriſt. A mans ſtate may oft times be known by his deportment in Relative Capacities: And he an't a good Magiſtrate, a good Miniſter, good Parent, a good Subject, ſuſtaining ſuch a Cap…ci…y, if not a good Man; however he may Flatter himſelf, and his End will be ſad.

p. 49The higher his Hopes and Expectations of future Felicity riſe & prevail, the lower and deeper ſhall he ſink in amazing Diſappointment and Confuſion at the Laſt.

You muſt anſwer for Sins of Omiſſion, as well as Commiſſion, and Omiſſions in Relative Duties in particular. 'Tis obſerved, that in the heavy Charge and Indictment which ſhall be drawn up againſt Sinners at the Great Day of Aſſize, Omiſſions of Relative Duties are particularly mentioned, Mat. 25. from v. 41, to the end ver. 42, 34. 5 Their Sin, ver 41, The Heart-rending, Soul-confounding Sentence. In ver 46. The Dreadful Execution, They ſhall go away into everlaſting Puniſhment.

Oh! my Hearers, as ever you will be Comfortable in the World to come, ſee to it that in every Station and Capacity, you approve your ſelves unto God as Faithful, 2 Tim. 2. 15. begin. Study to approve your ſelves unto GOD, then you are ſure at the Laſt Day to have that Heart-chearing and Reviving, Bleſſed and Beatifying Welcome, mentioned, Mat. 25. 34. Then ſhall the King ſay unto them on His Right Hand, Come Ye Bleſſed of My Father, Inherit the Kingdom Prepared for You from the Foundation of the World. AMEN.

FINIS.